FS Retro Sta Level valve compressor SOLD

[The Tasmanian]

Retro Sta Level valve compressor
perfect condition
$2300
PM me if interested

[Lee Cardan]

Magical compressor! Retro stuff is extremely well built and the tones that come out of this thing are simply superb would never sell mine!

Bump for a great compressor at a great price!

[The Tasmanian]

Thanks Lee - yep, damn good compressors.
I'm getting rid of the majority of my good stuff over the next few months.
Stuff I thought I'd never sell.....
Big life changes - moving slightly away from the music industry , so little need for a lot of my gear.

[The Tasmanian]

Sold...

[The Tasmanian]

Next up - an original Sta Level when I get it serviced by Rob.

[Hybrid88]

How come the change of heart Chris? Not going in the box are you?

[Lee Cardan]

Which did you like better Chris?
And how true to the original is the retro?

[The Tasmanian]

Change is, I'm kicking goals in the art world, with lots of commissions over the next few years.
Now I'm the artist. (Ive done the full circle)
Such a relief after the MP3 industry - I'tunes etc.
I'm also getting tired of putting in a huge amount of effort (and gear/money) into an industry that treats everything we do as something to rip for nuthin!
Its not what I originally got into the industry for. To me music is a serious artform, not a cheap reduced audio file.

I'll still keep a select amount of gear, and select great clients, but not really taking on new work, unless I'm blown away by something. Doors aren't completely closed - just a small crack to look out from.

(and I never mix in the box unless its for TV. Its not my bag)

Lee, the Sta Levels are killer, although I do like the Retro's attack and release functions which makes them more versatile. Surprisingly close, but something about the original that I really like, its different enough to think of it as a different beast, for different tasks. Especially vocals.
To me a good Sta Level leaves a LA2a for dead nearly all the time. An LA2a has a nice subtle top end thing going on - but so does a great EQ.
I used to have a pair of Sta's and a pair of LA2a's in my mix room for many years, so I got to use all 4.
Over the years, the Sta Levels got used 90% more than the LA2a's - and not just by me, by all of the other engineers and producers too.

[ChrisW]

Just briefly -
I keep saying the brightest and best are going to leave traditional music and head somewhere where they are actually appreciated, and the tech-headz keep telling me I'm wrong.

Good luck Chris.

[The Tasmanian]

Hey Chris - Ive never thought about that, its just evolved for me, but instinct has played a part as Ive watched the value of music turn to shit.
But thinking more about what you've said, - why would anyone invest a lifetime and most of their income, to manufacture MP3's?

A box of matches is 50c - roughly same as one would get from Itunes.
Then there are the majority of people stealing them, with no guilt whatsoever towards all of the life compromises that an artist must make to survive, in pursuit of making great meaningful work.

Really - at the end of ones life, I would rather be remembered as a creative person - not a MP3 data technician.

RIP
Joe Bloggs
MP3 maker

[Wiz]

Hey Chris - Ive never thought about that, its just evolved for me, but instinct has played a part as Ive watched the value of music turn to shit.
But thinking more about what you've said, - why would anyone invest a lifetime and most of their income, to manufacture MP3's?

A box of matches is 50c - roughly same as one would get from Itunes.
Then there are the majority of people stealing them, with no guilt whatsoever towards all of the life compromises that an artist must make to survive, in pursuit of making great meaningful work.

Really - at the end of ones life, I would rather be remembered as a creative person - not a MP3 data technician.

RIP
Joe Bloggs
MP3 maker

I do this... (make music) cause, honestly I have no choice.

Birds fly, fish swim, I make music.

I like money, dont get me wrong.

But, If I had 5 bucks or 5 million bucks, I would still do ... what I do.

I would prefer the 5 million.

8)

[The Tasmanian]

Wiz - great to hear your doing/living the dream.
Apart from a few OS tours and half a dozen albums of my own, I reveled in the fact that I could still be creative, earn a living making albums, and help artists make their creative dreams come true by producing their work.
I still love doing it. > I wouldn't be hangin out with you guys here if I didn't!
But it's meant a trade off in the long term.
Putting my creative life on hold, whilst I helped others realize their creative dreams

But over the last few years, my subconscious has been screaming at me to find a way to be creative without joining the MP3 club again as an artist. I just couldn't do it again. > Even though I had labels ready to put my work out around the world.
Put it out where?

I found (- actually stumbled on) a way to do it where my work is in a serious institution, with hundreds of thousands of people experiencing it the way I intend. They cant take it away, only the feeling and memory - they can never get it on the internet - or on CD.

On a psychological level, before people even hear my work, they know it must be important to be in a major art gallery. They approach it with reverence. (the way music used to be approached)
But if I put exactly the same work out as an MP3, then people know/approach music as a worthless item before they have even heard it. Which is really sad at the end of the day.

I'm know a few film makers that are facing a similar dilemma with their work.
Adapt - or don't survive.
Interesting times...

[ChrisW]

I like money, dont get me wrong.

But, If I had 5 bucks or 5 million bucks, I would still do ... what I do.

The point I'm making isn't about money.
------
A lot of consumers take music for granted now. It's everywhere, often free, if not very, very cheap (Spotify).
It's more disposable in their minds than it was before. There is a lot of negativity towards professional musicians and producers on the internet.

It's not about making more money. It's about being appreciated. Being valued as someone how contributes. A slap on the back saying "nice song" or "great album".
The mistake people make is always seeing it as a money thing.

[Wiz]

Perhaps I didn't articulate myself well Chris.

I am saying that, I do it..cause it's who is am.

Money would be great , but one way or the other, even if stacking shelves 60 hours a week.. I am still.. A musician.

Does that make more sense?

Sure I like it when people like my music...buy my music... But in the end even if those things didn't happen, I would still make it..

[Hybrid88]

I can definitely relate to these sentiments.

I saw the writing on the wall and decided a few years ago that I would get into it purely as a hobby, albeit a rather expensive and serious one. I don't care if I don't make any money from it, or even if anyone enjoys it, at the end of the day if all it does is keep me that little bit more sane in this crazy world then that is more than enough to make it worthwhile for me.

The industry is turning to shit for sure, but creativity will always find a way to shine through the commercial ridiculousness of it all.

And I can definitely relate to the sacrifices one must make to make it viable, I'm sure we've all put more 'important' things aside to focus on what drives us motivationally. I certainly could have done a lot with the money I've put into it over the years.

Good luck with the change of focus Chris, I'm sure it will yield great results for you

[Drumstruck]

... used to think I was a musician, but all the jokes tell me I'm just a drummer.... so whilst I'm waiting for the riches from that next hit single I think someone else will have to buy Chris' Retro?

bump for the Retro

[Chinagraf]

Hey Ian, it's sold already. Sheesh...drummers...

[Wiz]

Wiz - great to hear your doing/living the dream.
Apart from a few OS tours and half a dozen albums of my own, I reveled in the fact that I could still be creative, earn a living making albums, and help artists make their creative dreams come true by producing their work.
I still love doing it. > I wouldn't be hangin out with you guys here if I didn't!
But it's meant a trade off in the long term.
Putting my creative life on hold, whilst I helped others realize their creative dreams

But over the last few years, my subconscious has been screaming at me to find a way to be creative without joining the MP3 club again as an artist. I just couldn't do it again. > Even though I had labels ready to put my work out around the world.
Put it out where?

I found (- actually stumbled on) a way to do it where my work is in a serious institution, with hundreds of thousands of people experiencing it the way I intend. They cant take it away, only the feeling and memory - they can never get it on the internet - or on CD.

On a psychological level, before people even hear my work, they know it must be important to be in a major art gallery. They approach it with reverence. (the way music used to be approached)
But if I put exactly the same work out as an MP3, then people know/approach music as a worthless item before they have even heard it. Which is really sad at the end of the day.

I'm know a few film makers that are facing a similar dilemma with their work.
Adapt - or don't survive.
Interesting times...

I think its awesome Chris, that you are getting to do that. I wish you all the best and happiness with it. Its great

Viva le art !!!

[ChrisW]

Perhaps I didn't articulate myself well Chris.

I am saying that, I do it..cause it's who is am.

Money would be great , but one way or the other, even if stacking shelves 60 hours a week.. I am still.. A musician.

Does that make more sense?

Sure I like it when people like my music...buy my music... But in the end even if those things didn't happen, I would still make it..

Sure.
Me too.
I'm not criticising you. It's just that your point was different to mine.
As music fans, we don't want good people to be abandoning music, selling their gear and moving on.
They not only do that because they can't afford to continue, they also do it because they find more reward and encouragement in other creative endeavours.
Chris doesn't like the way the music industry has gone, and is inspired by his local art scene.
That's great for art, and bad for Aussie music.

[The Tasmanian]

You nailed it Chris.
Its about respect for our work.
I'm not harping on about money at all. Money is another (pathetic) issue.
On further thoughts, this is the basic difference in the mentality that music is worthless as an artform:

As a 12y/old, I used to work selling newspapers, finding golf balls in the bush on a golf course, I even trained my dog to find them, he was awesome at getting through deep in the bush to find them, then sold them to the Japanese businessmen on the golf course. ( me and my dog George had a great business!)
I was mowing lawns, doing chores around the house, whatever I could to raise enough money - just so that I could buy an album I really wanted to hear, and cherish it because of all the hard work that was put into getting that particular album.

Compare that to the public's mentality today????????
You can get almost anything for nothing - sometimes even before its released!
Or at best be on Itunes/Spotify.
F##cked if I want to continue to give up a lot of my precious time for this constant end result.

Sorry to come across as "negative"- (cause I'm not - just a realist), but apart from live music - the rest of the industry has turned to total shit.
The only good part is people are still making great music.
(to be stolen, and proudly disseminated on release).

I'll keep making albums though - maybe just a couple per year, solely for the joy and love of realizing great recorded music.

Rant over.

[Chris H]

These issues have really come into sharp focus as I have been establishing my new Live@Baha venture but I think they belong in a thread of their own. Holly mackeral though, I am just gob smacked at the goings on since I have been in the little venue recording. Bands are happy to be recorded but as soon as fee negotiation begins, they want to be recorded for a low ball fee. As most will be returning to the venue, I think they are testing the water to see if I will work low ball prices out of desperation. Well I'm not desperate and am establishing a top quality live recording option so we will see how it pans out.
At this stage It's about laying a solid foundation, I may get there I may not, it will be interesting to see how it pans out in the curent climate.

[ChrisW]

I think it's a vicious cycle though.
If bands can't sell albums for anything, they also can't afford to spend a lot of money recording them.
The people involved in the creative process are all in this together.
As Tasmanian Chris says, even money aside, it's inspiring to be treated seriously, and given some respect and recognition when you do good work. This is where MONA is scoring big. Encouraging art and offering a respectful and inspirational outlet for that art.
Anyway, that Retro STA sold quickly. I'm eagerly awaiting other items, but as I'm still making music for a (non) living, I probably can't spring for anything right now.

[Ben M]

Chris, if the Retro sale magically falls through... I'd be keen for a second one.

[The Tasmanian]

Hey Ben - she is definitely sold. (would be awesome to have a stereo pair eh?)

[Sammas]

But, If I had 5 bucks or 5 million bucks, I would still do ... what I do.

I would prefer the 5 million.

8)

I bet a lot of people have turned 5-million bucks into 5 bucks in this industry in a very short period of time!

[Wiz]

But, If I had 5 bucks or 5 million bucks, I would still do ... what I do.

I would prefer the 5 million.

8)

I bet a lot of people have turned 5-million bucks into 5 bucks in this industry in a very short period of time!

isnt that the old gag....

"how do you make a million dollars running a recording studio? Start out with 10!! "

8)

[Ben M]

Hey Ben - she is definitely sold. (would be awesome to have a stereo pair eh?)

Sure would Chris.
I'd be all over the Gates but then I'd be in the same position as I am now...looking for a second Retro Sta.
I've had a few emails with Phil Moore from Retro over the years and he's a great guy. He's sent me tested tubes (no charge) when I've inquired about them. I like the way he does his thang.
I'd get one (actually two) of everything from Retro Instruments if I could.